JP2005012436A - Electronic device and case structure thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the case structure of an electronic device consisting of a plurality of case constituents, in which working accuracy as a product is high and material cost can be reduced by welding screw bosses on the case constituents, and to provide an electronic device. <P>SOLUTION: The structure has a first case constituent 20 made of a metal in which a recess 32 is provided on a main wall portion 22; and a second case constituent provided with screw bosses 50 each having a male screw 51 and engaging with the inside of the recess 32 and fixed on the first case constituent 20 by welding and through holes. Male screws are screwed through the screw bosses 50 via the through holes respectively, thereby engaging the first case constituent 20 into the second case constituent so that they are integrated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a housing structure of an electronic device configured by screwing a plurality of housing components and an electronic device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a casing of an electronic device such as a mobile phone is generally configured by a plurality of casing structures (hereinafter referred to as a case), and a plurality of resin cases are often combined. With the reduction in thickness of telephones and the like, metal cases such as aluminum and magnesium have been widely used in place of resin cases in order to ensure the rigidity of the housing.
In particular, cases produced by pressing aluminum are widely used in mobile phones because of their good texture and excellent appearance.
[0003]
A case structure of a display unit side case of a conventional folding mobile phone will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a housing structure of this type of mobile phone.
A cellular phone 101 shown in FIG. 6 is configured such that a first casing 110 and a second casing 160 are foldable around a hinge 105. The first housing 110 is provided with a display portion 112 on the inner surface when folded, and an operation key 162 such as a numeric keypad is disposed on the inner surface when the second housing 160 is folded. Is provided.
FIG. 7 is an assembly view of the main part of the first housing 110.
As shown in this figure, the first casing 110 includes a rear case (first casing component) 120, a front case (second casing component) 140, a bonding material 125, a resin mold 130, and a male screw. 155.
[0004]
The front case 140 located on the inner surface when the first housing 110 is folded is formed of metal or synthetic resin, and an opening 142 for forming a display portion is formed therein, A hinge wall portion 143 constituting the hinge portion 105 is formed at one end on the inner surface side. In addition, holes 145 for allowing the male screws 155 to pass are formed at the four corners around the opening 142.
The resin mold 130 is formed of a synthetic resin, and has an opening 132 for a display portion formed therein, and a hinge wall portion 133 formed at one end. Screw bosses 150 are formed at the four corners near the opening 132.
[0005]
The screw boss 150 is formed integrally with the main body of the resin mold 130 when the resin mold 130 is molded, and a female screw is embedded therein by insert molding.
The joining member 125 has a notch 126 for forming a hinge part formed at one end thereof.
[0006]
The rear case 120 forms an outer shell when the two housings of the mobile phone 101 are closed and is formed of an aluminum alloy, and has a notch portion 123 for forming a hinge portion at one end thereof. .
Further, the inner side surface 120a of the rear case 120 and the outer side surface 130a of the resin mold 130 are bonded by thermocompression bonding with a bonding material (double-sided tape) 125 interposed therebetween.
The front case 140 is fixed to the rear case 120 by overlapping with the rear case 120 to which the resin mold 130 is bonded, and by fastening the male screw 155 to the female screw in the screw boss 150 through the hole 145.
In this way, the first housing 110 is assembled.
[0007]
In the case structure described above, the bonding material 125 is disposed on the inner side 120a of the rear case 120 and bonded to the resin mold 130 inside the case, so that the screw bonding portion is covered by the rear case 120, and the screw portion This prevents the design from being exposed to the outside.
The resin mold 130 on which the screw boss 150 is formed is joined to the rear case inner surface 120a by the joining material 125 because the rear case 120 is manufactured by press-molding a metal such as aluminum or magnesium. This is because it is difficult to form a complicated shape such as an internal female screw by pressing.
In addition to the one shown in this figure, various types have been proposed as insert molding of a female screw into a resin case and joining of other housing components to this female screw (for example, (See Patent Document 1).
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-37657 (FIG. 5)
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, according to the method shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the screw boss is formed on the resin mold and the resin mold is bonded to the aluminum rear case by thermocompression bonding. There are many causes of dimensional variation in the thickness direction of the casing, such as variations in the thickness of the bonding material to be joined, and as a result, a fitting gap is generated in the assembly of the front case and the rear case. was there.
In addition, there is a problem in that a resin mold and a bonding material for attaching the screw boss to the rear case are necessary, and manufacturing cost is high.
Furthermore, according to the method of insert-molding a female screw into a resin case as shown in Patent Document 1 and joining another housing component, a method of thinning while securing rigidity using a metal case It was difficult to apply to.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and in a housing structure of an electronic device constituted by a plurality of housing components, assembling as a product by welding a screw boss to the housing components. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device casing structure and an electronic device that are highly accurate and can reduce material costs.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes the following means.
The present invention has a metal first housing structure having a recess in the main wall and a female screw, and is fitted into the recess and welded to the first housing structure. The first casing component by screwing a male screw into the screw boss through the through hole. Is integrated with the second casing structure.
[0012]
Further, it is preferable that a side wall is formed around the main wall portion, the concave portion is provided in the vicinity of the side wall, and the screw boss is welded using the side wall portion.
[0013]
Moreover, it is preferable that a thick part is formed in the peripheral part of the said main wall part, and the said recessed part is formed so that at least one part may cover the said thick part.
[0014]
Furthermore, it is preferable that the screw boss is welded to the first casing structure at the periphery of the concave portion in the thick portion.
[0015]
In addition, the present invention includes a metal first housing structure having a recess in the main wall portion, a female screw, fitted into the recess, and the first housing structure. A screw boss fixed by welding, the second housing structure having a through-hole, and an electronic component, and by screwing a male screw into the screw boss through the through-hole, One housing structure and a second housing structure are fitted and enclosed with the electronic component.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The embodiment described here is an example in the case where the present invention is applied to a display unit side body of a foldable mobile phone.
FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams showing a foldable mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a foldable mobile phone.
The foldable mobile phone 1 connects a display unit side body 10 with a liquid crystal display unit 12, an operation unit side body 60 with an operation unit 62, a display unit side body 10, and an operation unit side body 60. A hinge 5 is provided.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the display unit side body 10 includes a rear case (first housing structure) 20, a front case (first housing structure) 40, and a male screw 55.
The front case 40 is folded in a state in which the display unit side body 10 of the foldable mobile phone (electronic device) 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B is closed with respect to the operation unit side body 60. An opening 42 for displaying the liquid crystal display unit 12, and a hinge peripheral wall 43 for connecting the display unit side body 10 with the operation unit side body 60 and the hinge 5. I have.
Further, the front case 40 includes a through hole 45 for inserting a male screw 55 to be fitted to the rear case 20.
Although not particularly illustrated, an electronic substrate (electronic component) provided with the liquid crystal display unit 12 is incorporated between the front case 40 and the rear case 20.
[0018]
3 and 4 show details of the rear case 20.
The rear case 20 includes a rear case main body 21 and a screw boss 50, and constitutes an outer shell of the foldable mobile phone 1 when the foldable mobile phone 1 is closed.
The rear case body 21 is formed of an aluminum alloy or the like (Al—Mg alloy 5000 series or the like), and includes a main wall portion 22 having a substantially constant thickness and a side wall portion 24 rising from the main wall portion 22. In addition, a thick portion 34 is formed on the peripheral edge portion of the main wall portion 22.
In the foldable mobile phone shown in FIG. 1, the main wall portion 22 is a surface opposite to the liquid crystal display portion 12 of the display unit side body 10 and is a surface exposed to the outside when folded. is there. Further, the side wall portion 24 constitutes a part of the side surface of the display unit side body 10.
[0019]
Further, a concave portion 32 into which the screw boss 50 is fitted is provided in the vicinity of the side wall portion 24 of the main wall portion 22.
As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the concave portion 32 includes a flat bottom portion 32a and a peripheral wall 32b surrounding the outer periphery of the bottom portion 32a, and a part of 32b covers the thick portion 34 and is thick. A peripheral wall 34a is formed.
The thick peripheral wall 34 a includes a peripheral edge 34 c at the peripheral edge on the thick part 34.
The bottom portion 32 a is formed to be slightly larger than the outer shape of the screw boss 50, and the screw boss 50 is fitted in the recess 32.
Further, the screw boss 50 is a cylindrical member formed of a magnesium alloy (AZ91D or the like), and a female screw 51 to which a male screw 55 is fastened is provided in the axial direction.
[0020]
Next, a method for assembling the display unit side body 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
The screw boss 50 is fitted into the recess 32 provided in the rear case body 21.
Next, the laser beam of the YAG welding machine is irradiated to the screw boss 50 and the peripheral portion 34c on the thick peripheral wall 34a, and the rear case main body 21 and the screw boss 50, which are base materials, are welded.
Furthermore, the front case 40 and the rear case 20 are overlapped with the rear case 20, and are screwed into the through holes 45 of the front case 40 and fastened to the female screws 51 in the screw bosses 50 of the rear case 20. And fix.
In this way, the display unit side body 10 is assembled.
[0021]
According to the above configuration, the recess 32 has a flat bottom 32a and a peripheral wall 32b. Therefore, the screw boss 50 can be stably disposed in a predetermined position and in a predetermined direction with respect to the recess 32. 50 can be fixed at a predetermined position with high accuracy.
Furthermore, when the screw boss 50 is arranged, the thick peripheral wall 34a is one step higher than the peripheral wall 32b. It becomes easy.
Further, since the recess 32 is in the vicinity of the side wall 24, the screw boss 50 is welded not only to the peripheral edge 34 c but also to the side wall 24, and is also welded in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the main wall 22. The
Therefore, it can be set as stronger welding which the screw boss 50 does not fall down.
[0022]
According to the housing structure of the electronic device according to the present invention, a resin mold or a bonding material is not required, and the screw boss is positioned in the recess, so that a factor of dimensional variation is reduced and a product with high accuracy can be obtained. .
Moreover, since the peripheral part of the main wall part which provided the recessed part 32 is made into the thick part 34, and the welding area of the screw boss 50 and the rear case main body 21 can be ensured large, the mechanical strength of a welding part is improved. Can do.
[0023]
Further, since irradiation with the YAG laser welding machine can be performed on the thick peripheral wall 34a having a large heat capacity, the influence of melting and thermal deformation due to welding is terminated inside the thick portion and does not appear on the outer surface of the rear case 20. .
As for the thickness of the thick portion 34, the rear case is fixed so that the depth of the thick peripheral wall 34a is shorter than the length in the axial direction of the screw boss 50 so as to facilitate welding (for example, about half the length). It is preferable to mold.
Further, since the strength of the rear case 20 is increased by the thick portion 34, the overall thickness can be reduced while ensuring the strength of the electronic device.
[0024]
In addition, in said embodiment, although the case where it applied to the foldable mobile telephone 1 was demonstrated, you may use for another kind of electronic device.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case of the single casing structure (rear case 20) provided with the screw boss 50 has been described. One or both of the housing components to be assembled may be plural, and any of the housing components is provided with both the through holes 45 through which the screw bosses 50 and the male screws 55 are passed. May be.
Moreover, although the case where the aluminum alloy was used as the material of the rear case body 21 and the magnesium alloy was used as the material of the screw boss 50 was described, a metal other than the aluminum alloy or the magnesium alloy may be used.
In addition, the welding method has been described for YAG laser welding, but other welding methods may be used.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a thin electronic device housing and electronic device that have improved dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction, reduced fitting gaps between the housing components, high assembly accuracy, and ensured strength.
In addition, since the resin mold and the bonding material are not necessary, the material cost can be reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a foldable mobile phone in which one casing according to an embodiment of the present invention is opened with respect to the other casing, and (a) shows the inner surface with the casing closed. (B) is a perspective view which shows the side which comprises an outer surface in the state which closed the housing | casing.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a display unit side body of the foldable mobile phone according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a rear case according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a perspective view showing a state before a screw boss is attached to a rear case body.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the rear case with a screw boss attached thereto according to the embodiment of the present invention.
5A and 5B show a thick portion according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 5A is a perspective view showing a thick portion formed on a main wall portion, and FIG. 5B is a vertical cross section showing a cross section AA; FIG.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a conventional folding mobile phone.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a display unit side body in a conventional folding mobile phone.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Folding mobile phone (electronic equipment)
10 Display side housing (electronic device housing)
20 Rear case (first housing component)
22 Main wall 32 Recess 34 Thick part 34c Peripheral part (periphery)
40 Front case (second housing component)
50 Screw boss 51 Female screw 55 Male screw

Claims (5)

A first metal housing structure having a recess in the main wall;
A screw boss that has a female screw, is fitted into the recess, and is fixed to the first housing component by welding;
Having the second housing structure with a through hole,
A housing of an electronic device, wherein a male housing is screwed into the screw boss through the through-hole to fit and integrate the first housing constituent body into the second housing constituent body. Body structure. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a side wall is formed around the main wall, the recess is provided in the vicinity of the side wall, and the screw boss is welded using the side wall. Enclosure structure. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein a thick portion is formed at a peripheral edge portion of the main wall portion, and the concave portion is formed so that at least a part thereof covers the thick portion. Enclosure structure. The case structure of the electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the screw boss is welded to the first case component at a peripheral edge of the concave portion in the thick portion. A first metal housing structure having a recess in the main wall;
A screw boss that has a female screw, is fitted into the recess, and is fixed to the first housing component by welding;
The second casing structure having a through hole, and an electronic component,
By screwing a male screw into the screw boss through the through hole,
An electronic apparatus characterized in that the first casing component and the second casing component are fitted and enclosed with the electronic component.

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